Zahid Oruc: "It is incorrect to regard decision about Iraq as part of Azerbaijan's policy of overall rejection of international peacekeeping mission"

- On Monday the parliamentary commission on issues of defense and security discussed prospects of complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani peacekeepers from Iraq and recommended to Milli Medjlis to settle this issue. What is it related to?

- I would like to note that on May 7 of 2003, under the decision of the head of Azerbaijan, the armed forces of our country joined an international coalition on conduction of the peacekeeping activity. They served in Iraq on the basis of the due UN resolution. The term of this service for the armed forces of Azerbaijan was defined by five years. This year the mandate of this peaceekeping mission expired. Thus, the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces is only a technical issue and it would be incorrect to explain this resolution with political motives.

The President has sent the due appeal to the parliament and it was considered by our commission that decided to raise this issue at the plenary session of the parliament.

- How do you assess the service of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Iraq through the past five years?

- I think measures Azerbaijan undertook through the past period for consolidation of security in the world and our active position of peacekeeping activity were highly evaluated by both the command of international coalition and the countries, joining this coalition.

Our contingent, comprising 151 people, fulfilled a very responsible function, mostly envisioning provision of security of electric stations and water reservoirs in Iraq.

But, as I have already noted, the term of their activity has expired and our forces are being completely withdrawn.

- The session of the commission was held just a few hours ago and even now the statements of different observers which say that the decision of Azerbaijan has a definite political ground are posted in the Internet. At the same time, these observers mention relations of Azerbaijan with NATO, Russia, the recent news in the Karabakh settlement and the recent overall situation in the Caucasus. What do you think of it?

- I consider it incorrect to regard this issue as a result of some misunderstanding in our relations with the West and the United States. The term of the mandate has completed, Azerbaijan's position was clarified and I think there are no problems here.

Moreover, it is unfounded to bind this decision to the recent events in the Caucasus, Russia's new role in the resolution of regional conflicts, like some do in their analysis. This decision can not be regarded as a rejection of cooperation with international coalition and no new tendencies in the US-Azerbaijani relations should be looked for.

Moreover, I want to remind that other states, including Poland and neighbor Kazakhstan also made a decision about the withdrawal of peacekeepers due to the completion of the term of service. Even such country, as Great Britain, which plays an active role in the coalition, has repeatedly stated the need to withdraw British troops from Iraq. I would like to remind that newly elected US President Barack Obama also stated the intention to withdraw US troops in 16 months following his election.

- Will Azerbaijan's participation in the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan change from now on?

- No. On the contrary, Azerbaijan has recently doubled its contingent in Afghanistan, clearly stating the need to further cooperate with the international coalition. This decision was balanced and careful enough. The issue was discussed in the parliament. The participation of our armed forces in maintenance of peace and security in Afghanistan had a favorable influence on the international image of Azerbaijan and I would not regard the decision about Iraq as part of Azerbaijan's policy of rejection of international contingent.

/Day.Az/